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BENGALURU: BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and Leader of the Opposition in the Council K S Eshwarappa on Sunday came under fire from party national president Amit Shah over their squabbling.
Conveying his displeasure at the state of affairs within the party and its performance as the principal opposition party in the state, Shah reportedly warned the state leadership to pull up their socks to fight the polls unitedly or face action.

Shah, who chaired a meeting of the State BJP Political Affairs Committee in the city on Sunday morning, is said to have taken the two leaders to task over the recent controversy regarding the kidnapping bid on Eshwarappa’s Personal Assistant which has embarrassed both the state leaders. Santosh, Yeddyurappa’s Personal Assistant , has been named as one of the suspects in the case. “You have presented an opportunity to the Congress to exploit the issue and embarrass the party,” Shah reportedly said.
He is said to have asked Yeddyurappa and other leaders as to why the party has not hit the agitation mode against ‘corruption and communal politics’ of the Siddaramaiah government.

He also asked them as to why the party leaders did not demand the resignation of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar after the recent Income-Tax raids on the latter’s premises. Shah attributed the failure of this to infighting among the state leaders.

Shah warned of stringent action against those who get involved in such acts that causes embarrassment to the party. The party national president also instructed the leaders not to blow up minor issues into big controversies.

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar, his council counterpart K S Eshwarappa, BJP National General Secretary in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka Muralidhar Rao are part of the Political Affairs Committee.

Only 80 seats for BJP if polls held now

Taking stock of the party’s preparations for the 2018 Assembly election, Shah wanted to know how many seats the party could win if polls are held now. In reply, Yeddyurappa expressed confidence of the party getting absolute majority with 120 to 130 seats. According to sources, Shah did not agree with Yeddyurappa’s assessment.

He said the party could win just 80 seats if the polls are held now according to his survey reports. The ‘Mission 150’ would go for a toss if the state leaders continue to squabble over minor issues, Shah said.

Shah lauds work of Adichunchanagiri Mutt

Mandya: BJP president Amit Shah visited Adichunchanagiri Mutt on Sunday. The move is viewed as an attempt to woo Vokkaligas. Though the mutt maintained that his visit has nothing to do with recent political developments, Shah’s visit sent a strong message among political circles that the BJP is ready to go extra mile to reach out to Vokkaligas. Shah visited the temple and offered puja to Kalabyraveshwara, spent 10 minutes at the temple and held talks with Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji. While he offered floral tributes to Balagangadharanatha Swamiji’s portrait, he paid rich tribute to Kempegowda. Sri Niramalanandanatha Swamiji said Adichunchanagiri Mutt has always stayed away from politics and will not plunge into politics.

Makes a surprise stopover in Kunigal

Tumakuru: BJP president Amit Shah’s unscheduled visit to Kunigal town re-energised the town party unit on Sunday. Shah’s convoy was to take the bypass route on NH-75. But leaders in Kunigal suggested that he pass through the town. Shah had a brief stopover at Hutchamasti Gowda Circle and surprised people. The People also surprised him as over 2,000 gathered to have a glimpse of him. The BJP leaders rained petals and honoured him with garland and Mysuru peta.